Facing a budget shortfall, the Berkeley Unified School District announced in March 2026 that it was issuing over 350 preliminary layoff or reassignment notices to staff. Credit: Ximena Natera for Berkeleyside / Catchlight

The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) last week announced it would issue 351 preliminary layoff or reassignment notices, with most reductions expected to fall on non‑credentialed staff, as the district anticipates another year of budget cuts. 

California law requires school districts to notify employees of potential layoffs by March 15 each year, and issue final notices by May 15. Because most of BUSD’s funding comes from the state, the district won’t know its budget until June when California finalizes its own budget. BUSD officials have said they may rescind any layoff notices that are eventually issued, once that revenue is confirmed. 

Last year, more than 370 certified and classified employees received preliminary notifications from BUSD, including 204 layoff notices. Most of those layoff notices were ultimately rescinded. But BUSD officials at the time hinted of more stormy weather ahead. 

This year, the district sent a slightly lower number of preliminary notices, with 120 going to classified employees, or support positions that don’t require a special license, and another 231 to credentialed classroom staff. Although some teachers could be reassigned, BUSD officials said they are “confident” the district won’t need to lay off credentialed instructors because retirements and resignations should make up for the need to do so.

There is no similar reassignment option for classified employees, which includes kitchen, custodial, and facilities staff. This means the preliminary notices sent to these workers are more likely to result in layoffs if the district cannot find the money to keep them.

“Conversations like this can be understandably concerning,” Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel said during last week’s board meeting. “(This) represents a required step in the process, but we know that every single member of our BUSD family is important and valued.”

After-school and family engagement positions are at risk

Among the potentially hardest‑hit departments this year are LEARNS, the district’s before‑ and after‑school program; the Office of Family Equity and Engagement (OFEE); the garden and cooking program; and school counseling. All of these departments are heavily staffed by classified workers and some positions are supported by one-time or expiring funds, such as those from Parent Teacher Associations and state grants, according to district officials. 

Berkeley Council of Classified Employees (BCCE) President Frank Hernandez last week implored the school board to do more to protect classified employees, who he said are currently “at the center” of the proposed cutbacks. 

“Before permanent classified employees are placed on the layoff list, the district must take a serious look at other areas of spending,” Hernandez said. 

“Once again, BUSD seems to be balancing its budget on the backs of the lowest-paid employees,” Dan Brownson, a district worker represented by BCCE, told the school board during public comment.

In the LEARNS program, nine after-school coordinators, more than 20 instructional technicians, and an extended learning manager received notices.

Seven OFEE specialists received notices in addition to a bilingual staffer and a program supervisor. Some teachers and parents believe that cuts to OFEE last year may have led to the cancellation of the district’s annual Black History Oratorical Fest, although this was not substantiated by BUSD. 

In the garden and cooking programs, more than eight full‑time‑equivalent gardening specialists and at least two cooking specialists received notifications. Notices were also sent to a nutrition education supervisor, a cooking instructional technician, and a career and technical education teacher. BUSD cited increasing costs and grant funding limitations as reasons for the notices.

School counselors, who are certified employees, could be significantly impacted. All full-time equivalent middle and high school counselors, including those providing intervention and academic support, and counseling staff in the Bridge and Puente programs, which support students of color, received notices. The district said it is reviewing the staffing needs in these programs with an aim to “reduce redundancy.”

BUSD officials said final decisions about staff reductions will not occur without community engagement and further school board input. District human resources and union leadership will host webinars later this month for staff who received notices.

Matt Meyer, president of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, said in a recorded message at last week’s board meeting that most layoffs and reassignments could be avoided “with proper planning.” 

The teachers’ union recently voted to ratify a new contract, which is headed for board review later this month. The tentative agreement, reached in late February after a three-month impasse in negotiations, gave Berkeley teachers a 3% salary increase this year and next, and a $1,000 bonus.

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